UNITED NATIONS: Despite Massive Humanitarian Efforts, Caribbean Children Still Don’t Have Access To Clean Drinking Water

HAVANA — Despite a massive humanitarian effort over the past six months in the Eastern Caribbean, Cuba and Haiti, there is still much work to be done to rehabilitate water and sanitation and other infrastructure damaged by powerful hurricanes Irma and Maria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported recently.

“So long [as] children are in need or in danger, we will continue working tirelessly so that everyone can look to the future with hope,” María Cristina Perceval, Regional Director of UNICEF for the Caribbean and Latin America said, noting that some $11.5 million in international donations continue to help the agency’s work in the region.

UNICEF said it continues to work on the ground, whilst at the same time preparing for the arrival of the new hurricane season with the aim of minimizing potential damage and impact on the most vulnerable areas.

In September 2017, at least 1.4 million people, including 357,000 children, were affected by the two category 5 hurricanes that wreaked havoc through Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Haiti, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos.

“Following the storms,” Perceval continued, “UNICEF responded immediately, mobilizing supplies and human resources to meet the needs of those affected and save lives.”

The agency continues to prioritize safe water and hygiene, giving more than 400,000 affected people, including children, access to drinking water and purification tablets – fundamental actions that save lives and prevents the outbreak and transmission of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and diarrhea.

On protecting children, another of its priorities, some 16,000 participated in psychosocial activities and 1,500 people were trained to continue carrying out these programmes.

In addition, UNICEF and its partners launched a cash transfer system benefiting more than 4,600 of the most vulnerable families following the hurricanes.

“Along with these emergency response actions,” Perceval said “UNICEF and its partners maintain their work in the Caribbean to contribute to an inclusive, equitable and prosperous region that guarantees the provision of quality services and support to children in the areas of education, child protection, social protection and resilience to guarantee the realization of children’s rights.”

With the next hurricane season in the region officially beginning on June 1, UNICEF is working to improve capacities and reduce vulnerability at national and community level.

“The objective is to mitigate the impact on boys, girls and women and ensure a rapid return to normality,” concluded the spokesperson.

The Author

John McCarthy

John McCarthy has been reporting on the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region since 1989. John's articles have appeared in the BVI Beacon, St. Croix Avis, San Juan Star and Virgin Islands Daily News. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan.